Signe E Gadwa

was 96 years old. She has joined her husband of nearly 75 years, Francis (Frank) Gadwa who preceded her in death in August 2020. She is survived by her four children and spouses, Lois Carlson (Gordon), Susan Gadwa-Pruitt (Steve), Ron Gadwa (Mary), Patty Kelly (Jack). She leaves behind 6 grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren. Signe was born October 31, 1924, to Finnish immigrants Gus & Lena Erickson and grew up in Hoquiam Washington. She was the youngest of eight children. Mom graduated

from Hoquiam High School in 1942. She was great with numbers and soon went to work for a dairy in

Aberdeen where she was the bookkeeper. It was at the dairy where she met then married, Frank.

She was a shining example of the women of her generation. She became an extraordinary wife, mother, and homemaker. She was an excellent baker and seamstress and spent hours making our skating

costumes we wore in the shows. She loved her yard and planted a beautiful and well-kept garden. She was our Bluebird and Campfire girl leader for years and was an early mom shuttle driver to the skating rink, and wherever else we needed to go. She encouraged our interests as individuals and helped us along whether it was through the purchase of skates, horses, or motorcycles. We will miss her home-cooked meals and her bottomless cookie jar. Overall she was a quiet woman who was wise, kind, and had boundless nonjudgmental patience. She was an excellent listener to whom you could talk about anything. She had her opinions but did not push them on us because she wanted us to think for yourselves. Through example, she taught us to live with grace, kindness and to value time spent with family and friends. She really did set the foundation for what ‘family’ means and nurtured a deep bond between us all. Most of all we will miss her smile and the way she always welcomed us home no matter how many mistakes we made. She along with Dad left some big shoes to fill but remembering your guidance, we hope to be people you would be proud of.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, July 10, 2021, at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Marysville Food Bank.